Which lane should a tractor-trailer drive on the highway?
3 Answers
According to regulations, when a tractor-trailer is towing a disabled vehicle on the highway, the maximum speed should not exceed 60 kilometers per hour, and it should drive in the rightmost slow lane with hazard lights on. More relevant information is as follows: 1. Tractor-trailer: A tractor-trailer is a utility vehicle where the front part (tractor) can be separated from the rear cargo container. It is not limited to towing just one type of cargo container but can tow various types of trailers. It is widely used in the current transportation industry for hauling oversized items. 2. Connection methods: There are two ways to connect a tractor-trailer and a trailer. The first method involves the front half of the trailer resting on the rear section of the tractor-trailer, where the rear axle of the tractor-trailer bears part of the trailer's weight. This is known as a semi-trailer. The second method involves the front end of the trailer being connected to the rear end of the tractor-trailer, where the tractor-trailer only provides forward pulling force without bearing the downward force of the trailer. This is known as a full trailer.
I believe that towing vehicles should only drive in the far-right lane on highways, as it's the safest practice. As someone who frequently drives long distances, I've operated towing vehicles several times and always strictly followed this rule—the right lane is the slow lane, designated for large vehicles. Towing vehicles are slow and have difficulty accelerating, so occupying the left lane not only causes traffic congestion but also increases the risk of accidents. I remember last year on the Jingzang Highway, I saw a driver operating a towing vehicle in the middle lane, and cars behind were honking nonstop—eventually, a rear-end collision occurred. Since then, I always remind my friends: no matter what vehicle you're driving, pay attention to road signs and keep to the right. It not only protects you but also gives way to other vehicles. Once you make it a habit, highway driving becomes much smoother.
When driving a tractor-trailer, the highway rules are clear: you must stay in the far-right lane. As a regular driver, I consider this rule mandatory, not just a suggestion. Once when I was delivering goods from Guangzhou to Shenzhen, I stayed in the slow lane the entire way, feeling both stable and at ease—tractor-trailers are heavy with significant inertia, making sudden lane changes very dangerous. In contrast, the left lane is for passing, the middle lane is for general travel, and only the right lane is suitable for vehicles like ours. By the way, in complex road conditions like tunnels or construction zones, it's even more important to stay to the right and drive slowly. New drivers shouldn't worry; you'll get used to it after a few trips—just remember not to break the rules out of impatience.
